COLTON >> “Spring Sting” began overnight Wednesday with no major problems, according to Caltrans officials.

The major freeway project ­­– which will close a three-quarter-mile stretch of the 215 Freeway at times overnight throughout April – began Wednesday night, with the closure of the freeway’s northbound lane until 5 a.m. Thursday morning.

“There weren’t a lot of issues at all,” said spokeswoman Terri Kasinga. “Edison was just amazing as were all of the contractors.”

The project is closing down the essential stretch in Colton between Riverside and San Bernardino through the month in order to place four railroad trusses across the freeway span.

Each truss weighs about 1.1 million pounds and is being moved into place by the same Alameda-based company, Sarens Group, which transported the Space Shuttle Endeavour to its new home in 2012.

“With all of the planning and preparation, we had no problems,” Kasinga said. “The real test will be Thursday and Friday night.”

That’s when the freeway will close both 215 lanes between Barton Road on the north and and Iowa Avenue on the south.

The California Highway Patrol is encouraging the public to use the 10, 15, and 60 freeways as detours.

“If you absolutely must travel through the closures, please plan out your route ahead of time and travel outside of the closure hours to give yourself ample time to get to your destination and be very patient,” said Officer Steve Carapia, spokesman for the CHP.